Winchester Hunting Rifles Cape Coral FL

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Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Review - Part 1

The Winchester brand has long been associated with the North American hunter. Since its original introduction in 1936, the "Rifleman's Rifle" has regularly made the short list of top firearms. There have been literally dozens (if not hundreds) of reviews of the Model 70 since its introduction, so what at BigGameHunt could we add that hasn't been said before? We thought we would take a two part up-close look at two current production Winchester Model 70's, first the standard Featherweight, and in part two the Super Grade.

First a little history, the Winchester brand is owned by the Olin Corporation and licensed by the Herstal Group commonly known as Fabrique Nationale or FN for short and Browning Arms Company. Olin is an American company that produces ammunition under the Winchester name, as well as ammunition for the military, and bulk chemicals. For 140 years Winchestser firearms were made at the famous New Haven, Connecticut facility until it was closed in early 2006. In 2008, new Winchester Model 70 production began at FN's Columbia, South Carolina facility. For this review we will be looking at new Model 70's produced at the Columbia plant.

Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

When the new Model 70 was first introduced three years ago there were only a couple of variations available and today, in early 2011, that has expanded to ten variations, from stainless varmint configurations to the classic Super Grade. Since Winchester is most associated with classic wood stocked guns with blued metal, we decided to look at the least expensive option in this review, the standard Featherweight, our next review will take a look at the most expensive model, the Super Grade.

The Model 70 Featherweight looks like a classic Winchester rifle has for years. The checkering is cut, not impressed and is placed on both the pistol grip and forearm. The checkering is very well done, it is most likely done by some type of machinery, but it is still precisely done and close inspection reveals solid craftsmanship.

Featherweight cut checkering around the pistol grip.

The stock is made of walnut with a Schnabel fore end and has a satin finish. There is no raised comb check piece on the stock and it is completely symmetric regardless of side, this means that the stock will work for either a left hand or right hand shooter, of course a south-paw may feel more comfortable with a left hand action but currently the Model 70 is only made in right handed actions.

Schnabel Fore End with standard sling swivel.

The wood quality on the Featherweight can be characterized as good but not amazing. Since the Featherweight retails for $700 to $740, the quality of wood on the rifle is about average to a little above average, it does not have a lot of character, but after viewing a few different featherweights its clear that the rifles come with wood that is about equal to their price. In other words, the wood quality is comparable and perhaps even a little better than tho...